The result of the 150th Kentucky Derby was down to three noses at the finish line. It was the closest 3-horse photo finish since 1947. The winners were:
- Mystik Dan
- Sierra Leone
- Forever Young
The 150th edition of the race had a much tighter finish and was full of surprises. According to sportsbook pay per head reviews and news sites, early leaders Just Steel and Track Phantom, considered long shots, were setting the pace. Meanwhile, the 3-1 favorite, Fierceness, ran three wide behind them. However, the race took a dramatic turn at the top of the stretch.
Closest 3-Horse Photo Finish in the Kentucky Derby
Brian Hernandez Jr displayed skill and strategy as Track Phantom veered off the rail. As a result, Hernandez pushed Mystik Dan into the space. The bay colt, showing his mettle, found another gear quickly, giving his team the advantage. Despite being bumped three times by Sierra Leone, Forever Young, ridden by jockey Ryusei Sakai, he maintained his speed and focus, nearing the rail with precision.
With Mystik Dan riding along the fence at top speed, Sierra Leone lunged forward and bumped into Forever Young three times in the stretch. However, jockey Ryusei Sakai did not call foul. As Mystik Dan neared the rail, Hernandez’s boot touched it.
According to horse racing news reports, the winning horse will take $3.1 million. Also, the jockey and trainer would take home 10% of the winnings. In front of 156,710 spectators—the biggest attendance at Churchill Downs since 2018—Sierra Leone, the second-choice horse with 9-2 odds, and Forever Young, the Japanese horse, was just defeated on the last turn.
Kentucky Derby Decided By a Nose
The most recent Kentucky Derby to be decided by such a narrow margin came in 1996 when Grindstone narrowly defeated Cavonnier to take home the garland of red roses. This was only the tenth such race. As the stewards evaluated the results and proclaimed them official, the crowd patiently waited for a few minutes in the oppressive heat and humidity.
Out of twenty 3-year-olds, Fierceness came in at number fifteen. Derby owner Mike Repole has a perfect score of 0 for 8. In 2011, he had the favorite, Uncle Mo, but he had to scratch the race the day before due to an illness. With a damaged foot, last year’s favorite Forte was scratched the morning of the race. With a time of 2 minutes and thirty-three seconds over a fast track, Mystik Dan earned $39.22, $16.32, and $10.
Thorpedo Anna won the Kentucky Oaks for fillies on Friday. Hernandez co-trained it with Kenny McPeek. Furthermore, McPeek has swept both races as a trainer for the first time since Ben Jones in 1952.
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